The saints dignity and duty· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardness. /…The saints dignitie and dutie· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardnesse. /…

I appeal to any mans heart here present. Is not the Word of God holy? Is it not a gracious word? Is it not a heavenly truth? doubtless every heart will yield to it, that it is a good Word of God. There are none so senseless, I presume, that dare openly profess, that they care not for the Word of God, and that there is not such holiness, and such goodness in it, as is said to be in it. I dare not think, that there harboureth such a thought scarce in the heart of a man that liveth in the bosom of the Church. It is true, my brethren, it is a holy, and a good, and a heavenly Word. What then shall we think of that soul, that opposeth this holy and gracious Word? must we not conclude him to be an unholy and graceless man? must not he that opposeth this heavenly Word of God, be a hellish man? Certainly it must be a marvellous profane and devilish heart, that must go against that heavenly truth, whereby the souls of the Saints are converted, and brought to heaven, and made capable of the sight of the face of God, who is holiness it self.

I appeal to any mans heart here present. Is not the Word of God holy? Is it not a gracious word? Is it not a heavenly truth? doubtlesse every heart will yeeld to it, that it is a good Word of God. There are none so senselesse, I presume, that dare openly professe, that they care not for the Word of God, and that there is not such holinesse, and such goodnesse in it, as is said to be in it. I dare not think, that there harboureth such a thought scarce in the heart of a man that liveth in the bosome of the Church. It is true, my brethren, it is a holy, and a good, and a heavenly Word. What then shall we think of that soule, that opposeth this holy and gracious Word? must we not conclude him to be an unholy and gracelesse man? must not he that opposeth this heavenly Word of God, be a hellish man? Certainly it must be a marvailous profane and devillish heart, that must goe against that heavenly truth, whereby the soules of the Saints are converted, and brought to heaven, and made capable of the sight of the face of God, who is holinesse it selfe.

Let men therefore be persuaded of this truth, and take this Word home with you. I doubt not, but there be some in this Congregation, that are yet in their natural condition, that are not subject to the Law of God, that if you pursue them with the power of the Word, they will turn back and resist it, and gainsay it, such swine as our Saviour speaks of, that when Pearls are thrown before them, will turn back and fly in the faces of those that dispense them, and all to rend them. Consider of it, if thy heart therefore, when the Word of God cometh directly and powerfully home to thee, and lays hold upon thy conscience, and telleth thee, these and these sins thou hast committed, such and such hypocrisies were in thy duties and performances, such ways of holiness and preciseness thou must walk in, and such